Navigating Emotional Impact

Common Emotional Responses

Active

• Diving into research and treatment options

• Feel empowered by action: seeking remission and more time together

• Motivation through hope and purpose: doing everything possible to fight the illness

Balanced

• Strive to balance treatment effectiveness with your dog’s quality of life

• Carefully weigh pros and cons of each option (for both your pet and your family)

• Concerned about the impact of therapies, but open to what offers the best overall outcome

Comfort-Focused

• Prioritize comfort over longevity

• Aim to minimize suffering, even if that means forgoing aggressive treatment

• Choose palliative care when therapies might cause more pain than benefit

*Note: There is no wrong way to respond. Cancer is complicated, and every family, every dog, and every case is different, so your choices are valid.

What to Consider When Making Treatment Decisions

Quality of Life Checklist

• Ask yourself:

  • Is my dog in pain?

  • Can they move around comfortably?

  • Are they able to eat and digest food?

  • Do they still engage with family and surroundings?

  • Do they experience joy or pleasure?

• Use these signs to decide whether treatment improves (or disrupts) your dog’s life

Treatments & Life Expectancy

• Medical treatments can extend life, sometimes by months or years

• Possible side effects:

  • Vomiting, weakness, immune suppression, etc.

  • Lifestyle changes or medications required

• Ask your vet or oncologist how much time it will give your dog

  • Adjust expectations and weigh options accordingly

Be Flexible & Stay Observant

• Cancer is rarely linear

  • What works early may not work later

  • New tumors may emerge or return

• Track your dog’s symptoms and side effects closely

• Stay open to:

  • New treatments

  • Changing medications

  • Knowing when it might be time to say goodbye

Financial & Family Considerations

• Treatments can be expensive and not every option is attainable

• Talk to your vet about:

  • Lower-cost alternatives

  • Cost-benefit of early oncology input

  • Prioritizing treatments over testing

• Your family matters, too:

  • Include them in discussions

  • Balance your dog’s needs with what your family can handle (emotionally, physically, and financially)

*Note: Take care of yourself. Supporting your pet means checking in with your own wellbeing as well

Emotional Support

• Cancer doesn’t just affect your dog, it affects your whole family and you don’t have to go through this alone

• Joining a support group can offer:

  • Shared stories and advice

  • Encouragement from others who truly understand

  • A space to vent, grieve, and hope

Online Support Communities

• Dog Cancer Support – Facebook Group

  • A welcoming space where thousands of dog owners share advice, updates, and comfort

• Fetch a Cure – Pet Cancer Support Group

  • An open forum and resource hub for caregivers facing a pet cancer diagnosis.

Support from Organizations

• National Canine Cancer Foundation

  • Offers emotional and financial support to families affected by canine cancer.

Join a group and talk to others: When you connect with people who’ve walked this path, you may feel lighter, more hopeful — and less lonely